Drag Racing @ Night (SB600 vs SB800)

[4AGE]

Hi Everyone,

Long time reader, first time poster.

I will be shooting an event at WSID in Sydney next saturday, the event goes into the night thus my need for a big flash. I will be using the kit lens (D70) as i can get close enough to the cars to get what i want from the night shots. i have a couple of questions and hopefully you guys and girls could help me.

1) SB600 or SB800 ? (With D70 and Kit Lens) Price is not an issue i just want to get what will work best with my gear and situation.

I will play around with shutter ISO and WB Settings on the day, but because i havent had experience with these Speedlights i was planning to use Auto mode (on the flash not camera) or is this not recommened ? if so what would you suggest i do ?

Thanks
Ben.

[Zeeke]

Dont mean to offend..

but wouldnt a high powered flash be distracting to drivers?? im sure alot of those events are non flash.... if i was going to do this kind of thing, id probably use a 50mm 1.4 or 1.8.. and no flash.. let the lights of the track do all the work.. and capture the feeling and atmosphere.. and you'd get the gnarly looking sparks and flames that get kicked up..

But if Money isnt a problem.. sb800 and a 50mm 1.4..

Tim

[redline]

so what would you suggest i do ?

Ben.

hi Ben,
i too agree with Zeeke, flashes might cause a bit off trouble with the drivers. you never know you might even cause an accident.

depends on the available light though, with daylight savings sunset might be a bit after 8pm so if the drags start at 6 you got about 2 hours to play around. let the drivers know that your using flash if possible and see if they're not epileptic and go into seizures. you could also use gels to match the flood lights if any.

[4AGE]

Thanks for the comments, i should have said money isnt an issue between the 600 and 800 I can't afford a new lens at this stage.

The flash isnt an issue for drivers there are other photographers using them, i wont be directly in front of them or aiming it directly at them.

So im gathering the 800 is fine for the D70 and will do eveything the 600 can do but better ?

[Onyx]

Flash is still not a good idea - as the only thing illuminating will be your flash, and flash power dropps of rapidly with distance.

You'll end up with shots like this, when you'd probably want something with background exposed correctly to set the context, like this.

[Big V]

4AGE, you dont need flash at these events..there is enough light and you end up with this type of effect..

[4AGE]

Thanks for the replys..

I just don't want to miss anything, i just checked the event finishes at 8 so light shouldnt be to bad i just hate bumping up the ISO

These are also for a magazine so i don't want to miss a thing

[Paul]

Ben,
I was at WSID a few months ago for the Nitro funny cars.
They had a few guest top fuelers do some test runs, I noticed that all the official guys were firing there flashes right in front of these monsters!
I guess the drivers don't have enough time to register someone firing a flash at them, there more concerned about the 7,000Hp bomb that's pushing there eyes into there brains!
Here's a few shots from my last visit.

[Catcha]

I use to take my WRX down the drag strip and can tell you that the only thing a drivers is looking at is those christmas tree lights counting down and everything else is history...


Be good to see some drag shots from ya

[robw25]

4AGE, you dont need flash at these events..there is enough light and you end up with this type of effect..

good to see that pic again bigv !! would probably be sharper if it was taken with a nikon lol

cheers rob

[Michael]

If you want a good flash not only for the drags and stuff but for other applications the sb800 is the thing to get!

great flash

[4AGE]

Could everyone that posted pics please provide equiptment and image specs ? cause ill be close to the action and it finishes at around 8 ive decided to opt for getting a fixed 50mm the Nikon f1.4 thanks for the tips, i will be looking into flashes in the future though.

The 50mm will also help on some feature shoot seeing as i love the "BB" Blured Background aka Shallow DOF

Here are some drag racing example from a private track day yesterday

Sorry i can't hotlink yet i have to allow Dslrusers.net on our hotlink list, will get it done later

Ben.

All images unedited (only resized) shot with D70 + Kit lens or the Nikkor 70-300mm)

http://www.gunnamotorsport.com/gallery/ ... =38&page=1

[Paul]

Ben,
I was using my 70-200VR Lens, Aperture varied during the light as I was on shutter priority, but by late at night it was at F2.8 and using higher ISO's
The 2 shots above were taken at 70mm, F2.8, 1/320sec & ISO 220
I also opted to fire the SB-800, don't think this had any benefit as I was too far away from the action..
For the top fuelers, due to there lightning speed I opted for 1/320 as I knew I would still see the back wheels spin at this shutter speed.
I was also at the wide end of the 70-200 to make sure I caught them in full flight and not cutting there nose or wing off.
For the slower cars (If there's such a thing at WSID) I would use the full zoom at 200mm, a TC would be great for the grandstand seats!
Continous shooting mode is also an obvious option, hit the trigger and keep it down until the buffer fills up!
I was using a monopod some of the time but for top fuel your best to hand hold, as your using the 50mm f/1.8 this will not be a problem!
So can you get access to the main drag strip? if so can you get us access as well?
I'm keen to go on Boxing day but for $60 I'd be wanting track side action locations.

[4AGE]

Thanks for all that

I really want your lens they are an awesome bit of gear, i know how to shoot at drag strips ive done it many times before i have never done it at night

I have access because Ive been asked to cover the event for a magazine.. so they organised it for me, you can't just go and ask for access because if they did that there would be more people on pit wall than the stand

[Big V]

Mine was taken with the 80-400 OS sigma, hand held, no mono or tripod. f4.5 3200 ISO and 125 sec...